US20210186809A1 - Ready-to-sell packaging unit containing at least one pharmaceutical product, set including a plurality of such packaging units and method for producing such packaging unit - Google Patents
Ready-to-sell packaging unit containing at least one pharmaceutical product, set including a plurality of such packaging units and method for producing such packaging unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210186809A1 US20210186809A1 US17/263,334 US201917263334A US2021186809A1 US 20210186809 A1 US20210186809 A1 US 20210186809A1 US 201917263334 A US201917263334 A US 201917263334A US 2021186809 A1 US2021186809 A1 US 2021186809A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- outer enclosure
- packaging unit
- features
- enclosure
- ready
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 82
- 239000000825 pharmaceutical preparation Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 229940127557 pharmaceutical product Drugs 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 17
- 238000002372 labelling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 16
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 229960005486 vaccine Drugs 0.000 description 5
- 239000002050 international nonproprietary name Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009512 pharmaceutical packaging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011265 semifinished product Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/05—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for collecting, storing or administering blood, plasma or medical fluids ; Infusion or perfusion containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/4204—Inspection openings or windows
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/4212—Information or decoration elements, e.g. content indicators, or for mailing
- B65D5/4233—Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/4212—Information or decoration elements, e.g. content indicators, or for mailing
- B65D5/4233—Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
- B65D5/4237—Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid located in a compartment formed by a container wall and additional panel or panels formed integrally with the container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/64—Lids
- B65D5/66—Hinged lids
- B65D5/6602—Hinged lids formed by folding one or more extensions hinged to the upper edge of a tubular container body
- B65D5/6611—Hinged lids formed by folding one or more extensions hinged to the upper edge of a tubular container body the lid being held in closed position by application of separate elements, e.g. clips, hooks, elastics
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D77/0413—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton
- B65D77/042—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton the inner container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J2205/00—General identification or selection means
- A61J2205/50—General identification or selection means using icons or symbolic figures, e.g. by a graphical representation symbolising the type of pathology or the organ by an image
Definitions
- the invention relates to ready-to-sell packaging units containing at least one pharmaceutical product.
- the inner enclosure is for instance a primary container such as a vial or a syringe body or a cartridge in direct contact with a liquid pharmaceutical product such as a dose of vaccine; or a primary container such as a blister containing solid pharmaceutical products; or the combination of one or more primary container(s) in direct contact with the pharmaceutical product with a further member such as a blister or a carton tray for holding and/or grouping the primary container(s).
- a primary container such as a vial or a syringe body or a cartridge in direct contact with a liquid pharmaceutical product such as a dose of vaccine
- a primary container such as a blister containing solid pharmaceutical products
- a further member such as a blister or a carton tray for holding and/or grouping the primary container(s).
- the outer enclosure is provided with labelling features which are for instance the name of the product, mentions in relation with the nature and use of the product, registration code and special logo.
- the outer enclosure and the information leaflet must thus be customized to the market on which the ready-to-sell packaging unit is to be sold.
- One known method for producing a ready-to-sell packaging unit for a relatively small market is to provide a ready-to-sell packaging unit produced for a relatively large market, to provide an information leaflet and an outer enclosure customized to the relatively small market, to open the outer enclosure of the ready-to-sell packaging unit produced for a relatively large market, to take the inner enclosure therein and to place this inner enclosure together with the customized information leaflet within the customized outer enclosure.
- the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features are for instance batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, 2D or 3D codes such as QR codes or Data Matrix codes, proprietary safety Label, Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and/or serial numbers, which are affixed to the external surface of the outer enclosure, enabling to keep track and trace and/or check the authenticity of the packaging unit.
- 2D or 3D codes such as QR codes or Data Matrix codes, proprietary safety Label, Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and/or serial numbers, which are affixed to the external surface of the outer enclosure, enabling to keep track and trace and/or check the authenticity of the packaging unit.
- the anti-tampering features are for instance provided with glued end flaps so that the body and/or end flaps of the outer enclosure must be teared or broken for opening the outer enclosure, revealing that someone accessed to the inner enclosure.
- the anti-tampering features are provided with adhesive security labels or tapes or seals which must be teared or broken for opening the outer enclosure, or with void (self-destructing) labels that leave behind semi-permanent text when removed.
- the invention is directed to enabling to produce such a packaging unit with a customized information leaflet and a customized outer enclosure in a simple, convenient and economical way while complying with the more and more stringent security and regulatory requirements.
- the invention accordingly provides in a first aspect a ready-to-sell packaging unit containing at least one pharmaceutical product, including:
- the invention is based on the observation that the information leaflet does not need to be within the enclosure bearing the features enabling to meet the product security requirements (the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features together with the anti-tampering features), provided that an outermost enclosure (herein termed the second outer enclosure) encloses the enclosure bearing the features enabling to meet the product security requirements (herein termed the first outer enclosure), provided that the information leaflet is placed between the two enclosures, and provided that the two enclosures are mutually arranged so that an opening in the second outer enclosure enables to see the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features on the first outer enclosure.
- the second outer enclosure encloses the enclosure bearing the features enabling to meet the product security requirements
- the information leaflet is placed between the two enclosures, and provided that the two enclosures are mutually arranged so that an opening in the second outer enclosure enables to see the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features on the first outer enclosure.
- the second outer enclosure is provided with the labelling features enabling to meet the outer enclosure customization requirements (such as local language, registration code and special logo in accordance with the market/country requirements), and since the information leaflet is outside of the first outer enclosure, no feature needing market specific customization has to be present on or within the first outer enclosure.
- the outer enclosure customization requirements such as local language, registration code and special logo in accordance with the market/country requirements
- the first outer enclosure can thus be used in different markets and can accordingly be manufactured in very large series.
- the production of the ready-to-sell packaging unit is relatively simple since it involves only placing the first outer enclosure and the information leaflet within the second outer enclosure, so that once the first outer enclosure is produced, the ready-to-sell packaging unit according to the invention can be produced simply, conveniently and economically, including for small series which can even be made manually.
- the invention provides a set including a first ready-to-sell packaging unit and a second ready-to-sell packaging unit each as disclosed above, wherein said first outer enclosure is identical for the first ready-to-sell packaging unit and the second ready-to-sell packaging unit whereas said information leaflet and said outer enclosure are different for the first ready-to-sell packaging unit and the second ready-to-sell packaging.
- the invention provides a method for producing a ready-to-sell packaging unit as disclosed above, including the step of manufacturing said first outer enclosure in a first factory, the step of shipping the first outer enclosure to a second factory, the step of providing the second factory with said second outer enclosure and said information leaflet and the step of placing said first outer enclosure and said information leaflet inside said second outer enclosure.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ready-to-sell packaging unit according to the invention
- FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic cross-section views taken as shown by II-II and III-Ill on FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of respectively the first outer enclosure and the second outer enclosure of the packaging unit illustrated on FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the insertion of the first outer enclosure and the patient or health care professional information leaflet into the second outer enclosure;
- FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing a central factory in which the first outer enclosure is manufactured and three different local factories in which ready-to-sell packaging units according to the invention are produced with the first outer enclosure manufactured at the central factory;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a set of three different packaging units according to the invention each produced at a respective local factory, the different packaging units being illustrated as on FIG. 2 ;
- FIGS. 9 and 10 are views similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 but for a variant of the packaging unit according to the invention in which the second outer enclosure is a sleeve instead of a box;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a sticker included in this variant of the packaging unit for mutually securing the first outer enclosure and the second outer enclosure;
- FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10 for a further variant of the packaging unit according to the invention in which the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features are visible through one open end of the sleeve forming the second outer enclosure.
- the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 illustrated on FIGS. 1 to 3 includes an inner enclosure 11 in which is contained one or more pharmaceutical product(s) 12 , a patient or health care professional information leaflet 13 and an outer enclosure 14 within which are contained the inner enclosure 11 and the information leaflet 13 .
- the inner enclosure 11 is for instance formed by a syringe and by a blister or carton tray holding the syringe whereas the pharmaceutical product 12 is for instance a dose of liquid vaccine to be injected, the body of the syringe containing in direct contact the dose of liquid vaccine.
- the pharmaceutical product 12 is different from a dose of vaccine and/or is solid rather than liquid, for instance tablets; the primary container in direct contact with the product 12 is different from a syringe, for instance a vial if the product is liquid or freeze-dried or a blister or a tube if the product is solid; more than one pharmaceutical product 12 is contained in the inner enclosure 11 , for instance a set of a plurality of doses of vaccine each contained in a vial while a blister holds and groups the vials; and/or the inner enclosure 11 is formed only by the primary container with which the body is in direct contact, for instance a blister containing in direct contact a plurality of tablets.
- Other instances of products contained in a syringe or a vial are lyophilized products that are to be reconstituted extemporaneously by mixing with a liquid.
- the information leaflet 13 is a folded sheet of paper.
- the outer enclosure 14 includes a first outer enclosure 15 and a second outer enclosure 16 .
- the first outer enclosure 15 Within the first outer enclosure 15 is contained the inner enclosure 11 .
- the first outer enclosure 15 is in direct contact with the inner enclosure 11 .
- the first outer enclosure 15 Within the second outer enclosure 16 are contained the first outer enclosure 15 and the information leaflet 13 .
- the second outer enclosure 16 is in direct contact with the first outer enclosure 15 and with the information leaflet 13 .
- the first outer enclosure 15 is here a fully closed box having a body 17 and end flaps 18 .
- the body 17 has a rectangular profile.
- the information leaflet 13 has a width similar to the dimension of the long side of the rectangular profile of the body 17 .
- the length of the information leaflet 13 is similar to the length of the body 17 .
- the end flaps 18 close the ends of the first outer enclosure 15 . At each end, the outermost end flap 18 is maintained with glue to the other end flaps so that the end flaps 18 form with the body 17 an anti-tampering feature: for opening the first outer enclosure 15 , the end flaps 18 and/or the body 17 must be teared or broken, revealing that someone accessed to the inner enclosure 11 .
- an easy opening feature is provided, here a curved line 19 of precuts arranged in the body 17 in the vicinity of one of its ends.
- the first outer enclosure 15 is provided with traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 , enabling to keep track and trace the authenticity of the packaging unit 10 .
- the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are here a Data Matrix code 21 , a serial number 22 , an expiry date 23 , a batch number 24 , a manufacturing date 25 and a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) 26 .
- GTIN Global Trade Item Number
- the serial number 22 , expiry date 23 , batch number 24 , manufacturing date 25 and Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) 26 are individual alphanumeric features.
- the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are affixed to the external surface of the first outer enclosure 15 .
- the first outer enclosure 15 includes a set 27 of headers for identifying each of the individual alphanumeric features in the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 .
- each header is in line with the feature it identifies, respectively the serial number 22 (header is SN), the expiry date 23 (header is EXP), the batch number 24 (header is LOT), the manufacturing date 25 (header is MANUF) and the Global Trade Item Number 26 (header is GTIN).
- the first outer enclosure 15 also has labelling features 28 , here the International Non-proprietary Name (INN) and/or brand name 29 of the product(s) 12 and mentions 30 in relation with the nature and use of the product(s) 12 .
- INN International Non-proprietary Name
- brand name 29 of the product(s) 12
- mentions 30 in relation with the nature and use of the product(s) 12 .
- the second outer enclosure 16 is here a box having a body 31 and end flaps 32 .
- the body 31 has a rectangular profile.
- the dimension of the long side of the rectangular profile of the body 31 is greater than the dimension of the long side of the rectangular profile of the body 17 and greater than the width of the information leaflet 13 ; the dimension of the short side of the rectangular profile of the body 31 is greater than the sum of the dimension of the short side of the rectangular profile of the body 17 and the thickness of the information leaflet 13 ; and the length of the body 31 is greater than the length of the first outer enclosure 15 and greater than the length of the information leaflet 13 .
- the body 31 Due to its rectangular profile, the body 31 has two main panels 33 and 34 each corresponding to a respective long side of the rectangular profile, and two lateral panels 35 and 36 each corresponding to a respective short side of the rectangular profile.
- a window 37 is made in the main panel 33 , here by a rectangular cut-out.
- the main faces 33 and 34 and the lateral faces 35 and 36 of the body 31 are solid and opaque.
- the window 37 and the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are arranged so that the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are visible through the window 37 .
- the long sides of the window 37 are parallel to the long sides of the main panel 33 and the short sides of the window 37 are parallel to the short sides of the main panel 33 .
- the window 37 is near a corner of the main panel 33 while being away from the sides of the main panel 33 .
- the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are also located on a main panel of the body 17 of the first outer enclosure 15 , away from the sides of this main panel.
- the set 27 of headers is masked by the main panel 33 along one side of the window 37 and the body 31 includes along that side of the window 37 a set 40 of headers for identifying each of the features 20 , except the Data Matrix 21 for which there is no header.
- each header of the set 40 is in line with the feature it identifies, respectively the serial number 22 (header is SN), the expiry date 23 (header is EXP), the batch number 24 (header is LOT), the manufacturing date 25 (header is MANUF) and the Global Trade Item Number 26 (header is GTIN).
- the second outer enclosure 16 is provided with labelling features 41 , here the International Non-proprietary Name (INN) and/or brand name 42 of the product(s) 12 and mentions 43 in relation with the nature of the product(s) 12 .
- labelling features 41 here the International Non-proprietary Name (INN) and/or brand name 42 of the product(s) 12 and mentions 43 in relation with the nature of the product(s) 12 .
- the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 is prepared simply by placing the first outer enclosure 15 and the information leaflet 13 within the second outer enclosure 16 as shown by the arrow 45 on FIG. 6 and then folding the flaps 32 at each end of the body 31 .
- the information leaflet 13 is placed between the first outer enclosure 15 and the second outer enclosure 16 .
- the information leaflet 13 is placed on the side of the first outer enclosure 15 which is away from the window 37 , so that the information leaflet 13 is isolated from the window 37 by the first outer enclosure 15 which is interposed between the information leaflet 13 and the window 37 .
- the end flaps 32 provide a further retention of the information leaflet 13 within the second outer enclosure 16 .
- the end flaps 32 of one end of the second outer enclosure 16 are unfolded, the first outer enclosure 15 and the information leaflet 13 are taken out, the first outer enclosure 15 is opened thanks to the easy opening feature 19 and the inner enclosure 11 is taken out.
- the labelling features 41 of the second outer enclosure 16 enables the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 to meet the customization requirements such as local language, registration code and special logo.
- the first outer enclosure 15 can thus be used in different markets and can accordingly be manufactured in very large series.
- the production of the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 involves only placing the first outer enclosure 15 and the information leaflet 13 within the second outer enclosure 16 .
- the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 can thus be produced simply, conveniently and economically, including for small series which can even be made manually.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a method for producing a ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 in which the step of manufacturing the first outer enclosure 15 is carried out in a first factory 51 , then the first outer enclosure 15 is shipped as shown by the arrow 52 to a second factory 53 , the second outer enclosure 16 and the information leaflet 13 are provided to the second factory 53 , and the step of placing the first outer enclosure 15 and the information leaflet 13 inside the second outer enclosure 16 is carried out at the second factory 53 .
- the first factory 51 is a central factory manufacturing the first outer enclosure 15 in very large series.
- the first outer enclosures 15 manufactured at the central factory 51 are shipped as shown by the arrows 52 , 52 A and 52 B to different local factories, here the second factory 53 and two other local factories 53 A and 53 B.
- the second outer enclosure 16 and the information leaflet 13 provided to the local factory 53 are customized to the requirements of the market on which the packaging units 10 produced by the local factory 53 are to be sold.
- the second outer enclosure 16 A and the information leaflet 13 A provided to the local factory 53 A are customized to the requirements of the market on which the packaging units 10 A ( FIG. 8 ) produced by the local factory 53 A are to be sold.
- the second outer enclosure 16 B and the information leaflet 13 B provided to the local factory 53 B are customized to the requirements of the market on which the packaging units 10 B ( FIG. 8 ) produced by the local factory 53 B are to be sold.
- the first outer enclosure 15 is identical for the three packaging units 10 , 10 A and 10 B whereas the information leaflet 13 , 13 A or 13 B and the second outer enclosure 16 , 16 A or 16 B are different for the three ready-to-sell packaging units 10 , 10 A and 10 B.
- the central factory 51 ships the first outer enclosures 15 to only two different local factories or to more than three different local factories, for instance eighteen different local factories each providing a respective market.
- the first outer enclosure 15 has no labelling features 28 .
- the labelling features 28 are masked by the second outer enclosure 16 , 16 A or 16 B in the ready-to-sell packaging units 10 , 10 A and 10 B so that they are not useful in these packaging units but that the labelling features 28 may be useful for meeting regulatory requirements for shipping the first outer enclosures 15 to the local factories, in particular regulations of certain countries regarding importation of pharmaceutical products.
- the labelling features 28 may thus be drafted in a language (or a couple of languages) easily read in a number of countries, for instance English and/or Spanish and/or French.
- the labelling features 28 may also be used for drawing attention to the fact that the first outer enclosure is a semi-finished product not ready to be put on the market. It is noted in this respect that a packaging unit containing pharmaceutical products but no information leaflet is not ready to be put on the market because it is not compliant with typical regulatory requirements.
- labelling features 28 and 41 are shown on a main panel of the first outer enclosure 15 or the second outer enclosure 16 , but it is understood that such labelling features can be affixed anywhere on the first outer enclosure 15 or the second outer enclosure 16 .
- the set of different ready-to-sell packaging units is produced in a same factory.
- FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a variant of the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 in which the second outer enclosure 16 is a sleeve 31 A similar to the body 31 but opened at each end (there is no end flaps 32 ).
- a recess or a cut-out can be provided at one end of the second outer enclosure 16 , for instance in the main panels 33 and 34 of the body 31 A.
- a sticker 55 ( FIG. 11 ) is used at one end of the packaging unit 10 for securing together the first outer enclosure 15 and the second outer enclosure 16 .
- the sticker 55 is here a simple transparent sticker.
- Other examples for the sticker 55 is a simple non-transparent sticker or a tamper evident sticker (also named void label or tamper evident label) configured for leaving behind a word message, for instance the word “open”, on both the sticker and the enclosure to which it was applied, if an attempt is made to remove the sticker.
- end flaps 18 of the first outer enclosure 15 are visible through the open ends of the sleeve 31 A, it is possible to have on the end flaps 18 a portion of the labelling features 28 intended not be masked by the second outer enclosure, for instance a manufacturer logo.
- FIG. 12 illustrates a variant of the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 similar to the variant shown on FIGS. 9 to 11 but in which there is a sleeve 31 B instead of the sleeve 31 A.
- the sleeve 31 B is similar to the sleeve 31 A but without window 37 , the opening through which the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are visible being the open end 56 of the sleeve 31 B seen at the left on FIG. 12 .
- the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are affixed on the end flaps 18 of the corresponding end of the first outer enclosure 15 and the set 40 of headers of the second outer enclosure 16 are affixed along the open end 56 .
- the information leaflet 13 is different from a folded sheet of paper, for instance a paper book; and/or the length and/or width of the information leaflet 13 is smaller than the length and/or width of the body 17 .
- the anti-tampering feature of the first outer enclosure is provided differently than with glued end flaps such as 18 , for instance with adhesive security labels or tapes or seals or tamper evident stickers which must be teared or broken for opening the first outer enclosure; and/or the end flaps 32 of the body 31 of the second outer enclosure 16 can also be glued or sealed with any other suitable anti-tampering feature.
- the Data Matrix code such as 21 is replaced by a different 2D or 3D code such as QR code or replaced by a proprietary safety Label and/or the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features include a hologram, a microprinting, a Guilloche-pattern and/or a heat and UV-sensitive label.
- the set 40 of headers is different from the set 27 of headers, for instance in another language such as a translation into the language of the country/market; the location of the headers of the set 40 and/or 27 is different from in line with the identified features, for instance the headers are grouped; there is no set of headers 27 ; and/or the window 37 is located and/or arranged differently, for instance remote from any corner of the main panel 33 (instead of near a corner) and/or with an outline partially curved (instead of a rectangular outline).
- the general form of the ready-to-sell packaging unit is different from parallelepiped, for instance another polyhedral form.
- the second outer enclosure 16 is not in an opaque material but in a transparent material and includes no labelling features such as 41 since the labelling features 28 of the first outer enclosure 15 are visible through the transparent material and includes no window such as 37 since the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features such as 20 can be seen through the transparent material and/or through an open end such as 56 .
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to ready-to-sell packaging units containing at least one pharmaceutical product.
- Already known packaging units of this kind include:
-
- an inner enclosure within which is (are) contained the product(s);
- a patient or health care professional information leaflet, sometimes termed a paper insert; and
- an outer enclosure such as a cardboard box within which are contained the inner enclosure and the information leaflet.
- The inner enclosure is for instance a primary container such as a vial or a syringe body or a cartridge in direct contact with a liquid pharmaceutical product such as a dose of vaccine; or a primary container such as a blister containing solid pharmaceutical products; or the combination of one or more primary container(s) in direct contact with the pharmaceutical product with a further member such as a blister or a carton tray for holding and/or grouping the primary container(s).
- The outer enclosure is provided with labelling features which are for instance the name of the product, mentions in relation with the nature and use of the product, registration code and special logo.
- Many of such labelling features are dependent on the market on which the product is to be sold, for instance as regards the language in which the mentions in relation with the nature and use of the product are to be drafted.
- The same applies to the information leaflet.
- The outer enclosure and the information leaflet must thus be customized to the market on which the ready-to-sell packaging unit is to be sold.
- One known method for producing a ready-to-sell packaging unit for a relatively small market is to provide a ready-to-sell packaging unit produced for a relatively large market, to provide an information leaflet and an outer enclosure customized to the relatively small market, to open the outer enclosure of the ready-to-sell packaging unit produced for a relatively large market, to take the inner enclosure therein and to place this inner enclosure together with the customized information leaflet within the customized outer enclosure.
- This method is becoming difficult to implement with the more and more stringent security and regulatory requirements applying to ready-to-sell pharmaceutical packaging units, which are met thanks to the provision to the outer enclosure of traceability and anti-counterfeiting features as well as anti-tampering features.
- The traceability and anti-counterfeiting features are for instance batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, 2D or 3D codes such as QR codes or Data Matrix codes, proprietary safety Label, Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and/or serial numbers, which are affixed to the external surface of the outer enclosure, enabling to keep track and trace and/or check the authenticity of the packaging unit.
- The anti-tampering features are for instance provided with glued end flaps so that the body and/or end flaps of the outer enclosure must be teared or broken for opening the outer enclosure, revealing that someone accessed to the inner enclosure. In other instances, the anti-tampering features are provided with adhesive security labels or tapes or seals which must be teared or broken for opening the outer enclosure, or with void (self-destructing) labels that leave behind semi-permanent text when removed.
- The above-mentioned method for producing a ready-to-sell packaging unit for a relatively small market is becoming difficult to implement in particular because relatively complex industrial equipment is needed for providing the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features and providing the anti-tampering features.
- The invention is directed to enabling to produce such a packaging unit with a customized information leaflet and a customized outer enclosure in a simple, convenient and economical way while complying with the more and more stringent security and regulatory requirements.
- The invention accordingly provides in a first aspect a ready-to-sell packaging unit containing at least one pharmaceutical product, including:
-
- an inner enclosure within which is contained each said pharmaceutical product;
- a patient or health care professional information leaflet; and
- an outer enclosure within which are contained said inner enclosure and said information leaflet, said outer enclosure being provided with labelling features, with traceability and anti-counterfeiting features, and with anti-tampering features;
- characterized in that said outer enclosure includes:
-
- a first outer enclosure within which is contained said inner enclosure; said first outer enclosure being provided with said traceability and anti-counterfeiting features and with said anti-tampering features; said information leaflet being outside of said first outer enclosure; and
- a second outer enclosure within which is contained said first outer enclosure and said information leaflet; said second outer enclosure being provided with said labelling features; said second outer enclosure having an opening, said opening and said traceability and anti-counterfeiting features being arranged so that said traceability and anti-counterfeiting features are visible through said opening.
- The invention is based on the observation that the information leaflet does not need to be within the enclosure bearing the features enabling to meet the product security requirements (the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features together with the anti-tampering features), provided that an outermost enclosure (herein termed the second outer enclosure) encloses the enclosure bearing the features enabling to meet the product security requirements (herein termed the first outer enclosure), provided that the information leaflet is placed between the two enclosures, and provided that the two enclosures are mutually arranged so that an opening in the second outer enclosure enables to see the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features on the first outer enclosure.
- Since the second outer enclosure is provided with the labelling features enabling to meet the outer enclosure customization requirements (such as local language, registration code and special logo in accordance with the market/country requirements), and since the information leaflet is outside of the first outer enclosure, no feature needing market specific customization has to be present on or within the first outer enclosure.
- The first outer enclosure can thus be used in different markets and can accordingly be manufactured in very large series.
- This is very convenient and economical because it enables efficient use of the industrial equipment for producing the first outer enclosure, including the relatively complex portion of this equipment providing the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features and providing the anti-tampering features.
- The production of the ready-to-sell packaging unit is relatively simple since it involves only placing the first outer enclosure and the information leaflet within the second outer enclosure, so that once the first outer enclosure is produced, the ready-to-sell packaging unit according to the invention can be produced simply, conveniently and economically, including for small series which can even be made manually.
- According to advantageous features of the ready-to-sell packaging unit according to the invention:
-
- said traceability and anti-counterfeiting features include individual alphanumeric features and the second outer enclosure has along said opening a set of headers for identifying said individual alphanumeric features;
- said first outer enclosure includes for said individual alphanumeric features a set of headers for identifying said individual alphanumeric features, said set of headers of said first outer enclosure being masked by said second outer enclosure;
- said first outer enclosure includes labelling features at least partially masked by said second outer enclosure;
- said opening is a window made in one panel of said second outer enclosure;
- said information leaflet is isolated from said window by said first outer enclosure;
- said second outer enclosure includes a body having said one panel and a further panel parallel to said one panel, said information leaflet being located between said further panel and said first outer enclosure;
- said second outer enclosure includes a body having a rectangular profile, said one panel belonging to said body and corresponding to a long side of said rectangular profile;
- said second outer enclosure has a body and end flaps;
- said second outer enclosure is a sleeve with open ends;
- said second outer enclosure is a sleeve with open ends, said opening being one of said open ends;
- said outer enclosure further includes at one end a sticker securing together the first outer enclosure and the second outer enclosure;
- said first outer enclosure includes a body having ends closed by end flaps with a glued outermost end flap so that said end flaps and said body form said anti-tampering features;
- said first outer enclosure includes an easy opening feature; and/or
- said easy opening feature is a curved line of precuts.
- In a second aspect, the invention provides a set including a first ready-to-sell packaging unit and a second ready-to-sell packaging unit each as disclosed above, wherein said first outer enclosure is identical for the first ready-to-sell packaging unit and the second ready-to-sell packaging unit whereas said information leaflet and said outer enclosure are different for the first ready-to-sell packaging unit and the second ready-to-sell packaging.
- In a third aspect, the invention provides a method for producing a ready-to-sell packaging unit as disclosed above, including the step of manufacturing said first outer enclosure in a first factory, the step of shipping the first outer enclosure to a second factory, the step of providing the second factory with said second outer enclosure and said information leaflet and the step of placing said first outer enclosure and said information leaflet inside said second outer enclosure.
- The description of the invention continues now with a detailed description of preferred embodiments given hereinafter by way of non-limiting illustration and with reference to the appended drawings. In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ready-to-sell packaging unit according to the invention; -
FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic cross-section views taken as shown by II-II and III-Ill onFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of respectively the first outer enclosure and the second outer enclosure of the packaging unit illustrated onFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the insertion of the first outer enclosure and the patient or health care professional information leaflet into the second outer enclosure; -
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing a central factory in which the first outer enclosure is manufactured and three different local factories in which ready-to-sell packaging units according to the invention are produced with the first outer enclosure manufactured at the central factory; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a set of three different packaging units according to the invention each produced at a respective local factory, the different packaging units being illustrated as onFIG. 2 ; -
FIGS. 9 and 10 are views similar toFIGS. 5 and 6 but for a variant of the packaging unit according to the invention in which the second outer enclosure is a sleeve instead of a box; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a sticker included in this variant of the packaging unit for mutually securing the first outer enclosure and the second outer enclosure; and -
FIG. 12 is a view similar toFIG. 10 for a further variant of the packaging unit according to the invention in which the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features are visible through one open end of the sleeve forming the second outer enclosure. - The ready-to-sell
packaging unit 10 illustrated onFIGS. 1 to 3 includes aninner enclosure 11 in which is contained one or more pharmaceutical product(s) 12, a patient or health careprofessional information leaflet 13 and anouter enclosure 14 within which are contained theinner enclosure 11 and theinformation leaflet 13. - The
inner enclosure 11 is for instance formed by a syringe and by a blister or carton tray holding the syringe whereas thepharmaceutical product 12 is for instance a dose of liquid vaccine to be injected, the body of the syringe containing in direct contact the dose of liquid vaccine. - In other instances, the
pharmaceutical product 12 is different from a dose of vaccine and/or is solid rather than liquid, for instance tablets; the primary container in direct contact with theproduct 12 is different from a syringe, for instance a vial if the product is liquid or freeze-dried or a blister or a tube if the product is solid; more than onepharmaceutical product 12 is contained in theinner enclosure 11, for instance a set of a plurality of doses of vaccine each contained in a vial while a blister holds and groups the vials; and/or theinner enclosure 11 is formed only by the primary container with which the body is in direct contact, for instance a blister containing in direct contact a plurality of tablets. Other instances of products contained in a syringe or a vial are lyophilized products that are to be reconstituted extemporaneously by mixing with a liquid. - The
information leaflet 13 contains medical information, recommendations of uses and the like and/or regulatory information according to the market on which thepackaging unit 10 is to be sold. Such information is thus customized to this market, in particular as regards the contained information and the language used. - Here, the
information leaflet 13 is a folded sheet of paper. - In the ready-to-
sell packaging unit 10, theouter enclosure 14 includes a firstouter enclosure 15 and a secondouter enclosure 16. - Within the first
outer enclosure 15 is contained theinner enclosure 11. Here, the firstouter enclosure 15 is in direct contact with theinner enclosure 11. - Within the second
outer enclosure 16 are contained the firstouter enclosure 15 and theinformation leaflet 13. - Here, the second
outer enclosure 16 is in direct contact with the firstouter enclosure 15 and with theinformation leaflet 13. - The first
outer enclosure 15 is here a fully closed box having abody 17 and end flaps 18. - The
body 17 has a rectangular profile. - As visible on
FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 theinformation leaflet 13 has a width similar to the dimension of the long side of the rectangular profile of thebody 17. The length of theinformation leaflet 13 is similar to the length of thebody 17. - The end flaps 18 close the ends of the first
outer enclosure 15. At each end, theoutermost end flap 18 is maintained with glue to the other end flaps so that the end flaps 18 form with thebody 17 an anti-tampering feature: for opening the firstouter enclosure 15, the end flaps 18 and/or thebody 17 must be teared or broken, revealing that someone accessed to theinner enclosure 11. - For helping the user to open the first
outer enclosure 15, an easy opening feature is provided, here acurved line 19 of precuts arranged in thebody 17 in the vicinity of one of its ends. - The first
outer enclosure 15 is provided with traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20, enabling to keep track and trace the authenticity of thepackaging unit 10. - The traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are here a
Data Matrix code 21, aserial number 22, anexpiry date 23, abatch number 24, amanufacturing date 25 and a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) 26. - The
serial number 22,expiry date 23,batch number 24,manufacturing date 25 and Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) 26 are individual alphanumeric features. - The traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are affixed to the external surface of the first
outer enclosure 15. - In addition to the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20, the first
outer enclosure 15 includes aset 27 of headers for identifying each of the individual alphanumeric features in the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20. - In the
set 27, each header is in line with the feature it identifies, respectively the serial number 22 (header is SN), the expiry date 23 (header is EXP), the batch number 24 (header is LOT), the manufacturing date 25 (header is MANUF) and the Global Trade Item Number 26 (header is GTIN). - The first
outer enclosure 15 also has labelling features 28, here the International Non-proprietary Name (INN) and/orbrand name 29 of the product(s) 12 and mentions 30 in relation with the nature and use of the product(s) 12. - The second
outer enclosure 16 is here a box having abody 31 and end flaps 32. - The
body 31 has a rectangular profile. - For enabling the second
outer enclosure 16 to accommodate the firstouter enclosure 15 and theinformation leaflet 13, as visible onFIGS. 2 and 3 the dimension of the long side of the rectangular profile of thebody 31 is greater than the dimension of the long side of the rectangular profile of thebody 17 and greater than the width of theinformation leaflet 13; the dimension of the short side of the rectangular profile of thebody 31 is greater than the sum of the dimension of the short side of the rectangular profile of thebody 17 and the thickness of theinformation leaflet 13; and the length of thebody 31 is greater than the length of the firstouter enclosure 15 and greater than the length of theinformation leaflet 13. - Due to its rectangular profile, the
body 31 has twomain panels lateral panels - A
window 37 is made in themain panel 33, here by a rectangular cut-out. - Except the
window 37, the main faces 33 and 34 and the lateral faces 35 and 36 of thebody 31 are solid and opaque. - In the ready-to-
sell packaging unit 10, thewindow 37 and the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are arranged so that the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are visible through thewindow 37. - Here, the long sides of the
window 37 are parallel to the long sides of themain panel 33 and the short sides of thewindow 37 are parallel to the short sides of themain panel 33. - Here, the
window 37 is near a corner of themain panel 33 while being away from the sides of themain panel 33. - The traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are also located on a main panel of the
body 17 of the firstouter enclosure 15, away from the sides of this main panel. - Here, the
set 27 of headers is masked by themain panel 33 along one side of thewindow 37 and thebody 31 includes along that side of the window 37 aset 40 of headers for identifying each of thefeatures 20, except theData Matrix 21 for which there is no header. - Here, the
set 40 is similar to the set 27: each header of theset 40 is in line with the feature it identifies, respectively the serial number 22 (header is SN), the expiry date 23 (header is EXP), the batch number 24 (header is LOT), the manufacturing date 25 (header is MANUF) and the Global Trade Item Number 26 (header is GTIN). - The second
outer enclosure 16 is provided with labelling features 41, here the International Non-proprietary Name (INN) and/orbrand name 42 of the product(s) 12 and mentions 43 in relation with the nature of the product(s) 12. - The ready-to-
sell packaging unit 10 is prepared simply by placing the firstouter enclosure 15 and theinformation leaflet 13 within the secondouter enclosure 16 as shown by thearrow 45 onFIG. 6 and then folding theflaps 32 at each end of thebody 31. - In the ready-to-
sell packaging unit 10 theinformation leaflet 13 is placed between the firstouter enclosure 15 and the secondouter enclosure 16. - Here, the
information leaflet 13 is placed on the side of the firstouter enclosure 15 which is away from thewindow 37, so that theinformation leaflet 13 is isolated from thewindow 37 by the firstouter enclosure 15 which is interposed between theinformation leaflet 13 and thewindow 37. - For further helping the retention of the
information leaflet 13 within the secondouter enclosure 16, there is a slight compression of theinformation leaflet 13 between the firstouter enclosure 15 and the secondouter enclosure 16. - The end flaps 32 provide a further retention of the
information leaflet 13 within the secondouter enclosure 16. - For opening the ready-to-
sell packaging unit 10, the end flaps 32 of one end of the secondouter enclosure 16 are unfolded, the firstouter enclosure 15 and theinformation leaflet 13 are taken out, the firstouter enclosure 15 is opened thanks to theeasy opening feature 19 and theinner enclosure 11 is taken out. - The labelling features 41 of the second
outer enclosure 16 enables the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 to meet the customization requirements such as local language, registration code and special logo. - Since the
information leaflet 13 is outside of the firstouter enclosure 15, no feature needing market specific customization has to be present on or within the firstouter enclosure 15. - The first
outer enclosure 15 can thus be used in different markets and can accordingly be manufactured in very large series. - This is very convenient and economical because it enables efficient use of the industrial equipment for producing the first
outer enclosure 15, including the relatively complex portion of this equipment providing the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 and providing the glued outermost end flaps 18 forming with thebody 17 the anti-tampering features of the firstouter enclosure 15. - Once the first
outer enclosure 15 is produced, the production of the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 involves only placing the firstouter enclosure 15 and theinformation leaflet 13 within the secondouter enclosure 16. - The ready-to-
sell packaging unit 10 can thus be produced simply, conveniently and economically, including for small series which can even be made manually. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a method for producing a ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 in which the step of manufacturing the firstouter enclosure 15 is carried out in afirst factory 51, then the firstouter enclosure 15 is shipped as shown by thearrow 52 to asecond factory 53, the secondouter enclosure 16 and theinformation leaflet 13 are provided to thesecond factory 53, and the step of placing the firstouter enclosure 15 and theinformation leaflet 13 inside the secondouter enclosure 16 is carried out at thesecond factory 53. - More precisely, in the method illustrated on
FIG. 7 , thefirst factory 51 is a central factory manufacturing the firstouter enclosure 15 in very large series. - The first
outer enclosures 15 manufactured at thecentral factory 51 are shipped as shown by thearrows second factory 53 and two otherlocal factories - The second
outer enclosure 16 and theinformation leaflet 13 provided to thelocal factory 53 are customized to the requirements of the market on which thepackaging units 10 produced by thelocal factory 53 are to be sold. - The second
outer enclosure 16A and theinformation leaflet 13A provided to thelocal factory 53A are customized to the requirements of the market on which thepackaging units 10A (FIG. 8 ) produced by thelocal factory 53A are to be sold. - The second
outer enclosure 16B and theinformation leaflet 13B provided to thelocal factory 53B are customized to the requirements of the market on which thepackaging units 10B (FIG. 8 ) produced by thelocal factory 53B are to be sold. - In the set of different ready-to-
sell packaging units FIG. 8 , the firstouter enclosure 15 is identical for the threepackaging units information leaflet outer enclosure sell packaging units - In non-illustrated variants, the
central factory 51 ships the firstouter enclosures 15 to only two different local factories or to more than three different local factories, for instance eighteen different local factories each providing a respective market. - In non-illustrated variants, the first
outer enclosure 15 has no labelling features 28. - It should be noted in this respect that the labelling features 28 are masked by the second
outer enclosure sell packaging units outer enclosures 15 to the local factories, in particular regulations of certain countries regarding importation of pharmaceutical products. The labelling features 28 may thus be drafted in a language (or a couple of languages) easily read in a number of countries, for instance English and/or Spanish and/or French. - The labelling features 28 may also be used for drawing attention to the fact that the first outer enclosure is a semi-finished product not ready to be put on the market. It is noted in this respect that a packaging unit containing pharmaceutical products but no information leaflet is not ready to be put on the market because it is not compliant with typical regulatory requirements.
- For simplifying the drawings, the labelling features 28 and 41 are shown on a main panel of the first
outer enclosure 15 or the secondouter enclosure 16, but it is understood that such labelling features can be affixed anywhere on the firstouter enclosure 15 or the secondouter enclosure 16. - In non-illustrated variants, the set of different ready-to-sell packaging units is produced in a same factory.
-
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a variant of the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 in which the secondouter enclosure 16 is asleeve 31A similar to thebody 31 but opened at each end (there is no end flaps 32). - As mentioned above, for further helping the retention of the
information leaflet 13 within the secondouter enclosure 16, there is a slight compression of theinformation leaflet 13 between the firstouter enclosure 15 and the secondouter enclosure 16. This is very useful in this variant in which the secondouter enclosure 16 is opened at each end. - For helping the user to access or grip the first
outer enclosure 15, a recess or a cut-out can be provided at one end of the secondouter enclosure 16, for instance in themain panels body 31A. - For preventing the
information leaflet 13 from leaving the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10, a sticker 55 (FIG. 11 ) is used at one end of thepackaging unit 10 for securing together the firstouter enclosure 15 and the secondouter enclosure 16. - The
sticker 55 is here a simple transparent sticker. Other examples for thesticker 55 is a simple non-transparent sticker or a tamper evident sticker (also named void label or tamper evident label) configured for leaving behind a word message, for instance the word “open”, on both the sticker and the enclosure to which it was applied, if an attempt is made to remove the sticker. - The opening of this variant of the ready-to-
sell packaging unit 10 with thebody 31A is similar except that thesticker 55 is taken out instead of unfolding the end flaps 32. - Since the end flaps 18 of the first
outer enclosure 15 are visible through the open ends of thesleeve 31A, it is possible to have on the end flaps 18 a portion of the labelling features 28 intended not be masked by the second outer enclosure, for instance a manufacturer logo. -
FIG. 12 illustrates a variant of the ready-to-sell packaging unit 10 similar to the variant shown onFIGS. 9 to 11 but in which there is asleeve 31B instead of thesleeve 31A. - The
sleeve 31B is similar to thesleeve 31A but withoutwindow 37, the opening through which the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are visible being theopen end 56 of thesleeve 31B seen at the left onFIG. 12 . - In this variant, the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features 20 are affixed on the end flaps 18 of the corresponding end of the first
outer enclosure 15 and theset 40 of headers of the secondouter enclosure 16 are affixed along theopen end 56. - In non-illustrated variants, the
information leaflet 13 is different from a folded sheet of paper, for instance a paper book; and/or the length and/or width of theinformation leaflet 13 is smaller than the length and/or width of thebody 17. - In non-illustrated variants, the anti-tampering feature of the first outer enclosure is provided differently than with glued end flaps such as 18, for instance with adhesive security labels or tapes or seals or tamper evident stickers which must be teared or broken for opening the first outer enclosure; and/or the end flaps 32 of the
body 31 of the secondouter enclosure 16 can also be glued or sealed with any other suitable anti-tampering feature. - In non-illustrated variants, the Data Matrix code such as 21 is replaced by a different 2D or 3D code such as QR code or replaced by a proprietary safety Label and/or the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features include a hologram, a microprinting, a Guilloche-pattern and/or a heat and UV-sensitive label.
- In non-illustrated variants, the
set 40 of headers is different from the set 27 of headers, for instance in another language such as a translation into the language of the country/market; the location of the headers of theset 40 and/or 27 is different from in line with the identified features, for instance the headers are grouped; there is no set ofheaders 27; and/or thewindow 37 is located and/or arranged differently, for instance remote from any corner of the main panel 33 (instead of near a corner) and/or with an outline partially curved (instead of a rectangular outline). - In non-illustrated variants, the general form of the ready-to-sell packaging unit is different from parallelepiped, for instance another polyhedral form.
- In non-illustrated variants, the second
outer enclosure 16 is not in an opaque material but in a transparent material and includes no labelling features such as 41 since the labelling features 28 of the firstouter enclosure 15 are visible through the transparent material and includes no window such as 37 since the traceability and anti-counterfeiting features such as 20 can be seen through the transparent material and/or through an open end such as 56. - Numerous other variants are possible according to the circumstances and it is reminded in this respect that the invention is not limited to the described and drawn embodiments.
Claims (17)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP18306021 | 2018-07-27 | ||
EP18306021.9 | 2018-07-27 | ||
PCT/EP2019/070244 WO2020021095A1 (en) | 2018-07-27 | 2019-07-26 | Ready-to-sell packaging unit containing at least one pharmaceutical product, set including a plurality of such packaging units and method for producing such packaging unit |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20210186809A1 true US20210186809A1 (en) | 2021-06-24 |
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US17/263,334 Pending US20210186809A1 (en) | 2018-07-27 | 2019-07-26 | Ready-to-sell packaging unit containing at least one pharmaceutical product, set including a plurality of such packaging units and method for producing such packaging unit |
Country Status (10)
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US (1) | US20210186809A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3829989A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP7340595B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20210036953A (en) |
CN (1) | CN112823125B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2019309173A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112021000179A2 (en) |
IL (1) | IL280415A (en) |
SG (1) | SG11202100250YA (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020021095A1 (en) |
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BR112021000179A2 (en) | 2021-05-11 |
WO2020021095A1 (en) | 2020-01-30 |
KR20210036953A (en) | 2021-04-05 |
JP7340595B2 (en) | 2023-09-07 |
JP2021531131A (en) | 2021-11-18 |
CN112823125B (en) | 2023-04-14 |
EP3829989A1 (en) | 2021-06-09 |
IL280415A (en) | 2021-03-01 |
CN112823125A (en) | 2021-05-18 |
SG11202100250YA (en) | 2021-02-25 |
AU2019309173A1 (en) | 2021-03-04 |
TW202007386A (en) | 2020-02-16 |
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